Letters to the editor for Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Wednesday

Aug 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Party affiliation is unnecessary for most items on the primary ballot.Registered voters may vote in the primary election for nonpartisan positions and other items on the ballot, regardless of whether or not they are affiliated with a political party.While there are some partisan races in the primary election and names of candidates in partisan races will only appear on the ballots of voters affiliated with the party, important positions such as County Council, School Board members, city commissioners and judges are all nonpartisan races. In nonpartisan elections, candidates appear on the ballot without reference to any political party. Florida law requires judicial elections to be nonpartisan in order to preserve the impartiality of the judge’s decisions. That means that everyone who is registered to vote in Volusia County can vote in the primary for candidates running for these positions.The decision to extend the half-cent sales tax to upgrade and maintain security, technology and facilities in our local schools will be on every Volusia County ballot. The cities and towns may have referendums on the primary ballot for their residents to decide. This is your opportunity to influence your neighborhood, your community and your schools regardless of whether or not you affiliate with a political party. Make your voice heard by voting in the primary election. Claudia RothDaytona BeaachRoth is president of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County.

Ray Hudkins’ “Florida Voices” column Saturday (“Why I can’t vote in Florida’s primary election”) inaccurately alleges that “no party affiliation” voters cannot take part in the Aug. 26 primary election, and does a disservice by creating confusion and possibly keeping NPA voters from participating. In fact, a large share of the races on the ballot are nonpartisan and open to all voters. In Volusia, there are races for judges, School Board members and County Council members. In addition, there is a very important vote on a school district sales tax that is up for consideration by all Volusia voters, whether or not they belong to a political party.While I understand the point Hudkins was trying to make, it should not have been heightened through inaccuracy.David WeberDeLand

In my many years of judicial experience, culminating my career with the honor of serving as chief federal judge for the U.S. Department of Labor, fairness and following the law were always paramount. The election process must be sacrosanct.I abhor the abusive tactics of local politics and politicians, reminiscent of the days of a lawless Tammany Hall. We cannot tolerate this in Volusia County.Postcards have been mailed containing half-truths or false statements by candidates. Favorites in nonpartisan elections have been endorsed by a party only to further the wants and needs of a few, regardless of past performance and general public distrust. This draws my angst.For this reason, I choose to cast my ballot in the upcoming election for David Machuga, to represent all the people of District 3 on the Volusia County Council.Nahum LittNew Smyrna Beach

Webster Barnaby is my recommendation in the Volusia County Council at-large race. He has served the public as a guardian, and will be vigilant for all people of Volusia County. I especially enjoy his sincerity. Webster is approachable and is a good listener. Webster Barnaby is a good vote.Alan BurtonOrmond Beach

Adam Warren of Daytona Beach is seeking election to the 7th Judicial Circuit and is uniquely qualified for the position of circuit judge. Adam is the child of two lawyers: Dan Warren, former 7th Judicial Circuit state attorney from 1962 to 1968 (well-known to local old-timers as perhaps the best trial lawyer to have practiced here) and Stasia Warren, former Volusia County Court judge from 1990-2012. Being raised in their house was a never-ending lesson in the importance of the pursuit of justice, the proper application of the law, the rules and procedures that make the playing field level for all participants and are never violated in order to show preferential treatment to a friend or relative. Perhaps most importantly, he learned why a judge should have ethics, morals and standards that are beyond reproach. Adam has worked in all areas of the law as a prosecutor, as a private practitioner handling criminal defense and civil litigation and as a legal research clerk at the 5th District Court of Appeals.Some judges develop what is known as “black robe fever,” as evidenced by their inflated ego, an excessive sense of self-importance, a belief in a double standard when it comes to the judge’s own conduct (or family member’s conduct), outbursts of rage and lack of patience or empathy. Adam knows how important it is for judges to remember what it is like in the private practice of law; how important it is to follow the law while showing compassion when compassion is appropriate; and why one in a position of power should never, ever use that position to help or harm another. This is the type of judge the public deserves, and Adam Warren is that person.Mary Jane HendersonNew Smyrna BeachHenderson is a former Volusia County judge.

I have lived in Deltona for eight years and I have had my children attending public schools for all of them. My oldest is a high school senior this year. My youngest is in second grade.In very little time, it was apparent to me that my School Board District 5 representative Diane Smith is a genuine, hardworking, dedicated advocate who demonstrably cares for our students, our schools and our community. She has never been afraid to speak up on behalf of our students, has fought back on excessive testing and consistently challenged outside interests trying to capitalize at the expense of our children’s education. It should come as no surprise then that her dedication to our students has angered some of the large anti-public school special interests and organizations. How so? I recently learned that one such group is spending lots of money against Diane. This is outrageous!School Board elections should be the decision of the local community. It is disgraceful and insulting to the voters of this district that an outside special interest PAC is trying to mislead us to vote against our best interest. We need to expose this duplicity. We cannot allow an outside group that wants to profit off our kids pull the wool over our eyes and influence Volusia voters.When you look at her record, you will clearly see that Diane Smith continues to be the best person to represent the students and Volusia County Citizens of District 5. She has proved it. Keep special interests with negative agendas out of our School Board. Please join me and vote for Diane Smith as our local School Board member. Robert C. WilsonDeltona

If you divide the Volusia County school district’s total budget by the number of students, it spends approximately $12,500 for each student. On average, a class of 25 students costs us $312,500 per year. I know there are other costs, like busing and staff wages, but $12,500 per student per year? It seems outrageous in a poor county like Volusia. We can’t afford to just keep giving the School Board a pass every time it asks for more money. School leaders need to do what the rest of us do — learn to do better with less. I live within one mile of two closed schools: Willam A. Hurst Elementary and Holly Hill Middle. What is being done with all the old properties? Take care of that before you ask us for more money.Paul WilsonDaytona Beach

The goal of the Volusia County School District is to provide the ultimate classroom learning environment for its students. The product of our schools is the future of America. A highly rated school district attracts capital investments locally and from abroad, which in turn brings businesses, jobs, and people to our county. The half-cent sales tax extension will help do just that.It will provide for greater facility security, so that students concentrate on learning instead of fearing for their safety against intrusion by those that want to harm them. The half-cent extension will also properly equip classrooms with the latest technology that replaces the decades-old technology that is being used today. The latest technology tools will help students succeed in an ever-changing global stage. We also need to upgrade our schools’ science classrooms so that our students can significantly compete against other advanced nations that are surpassing us in both math and science. Our students are losing ground in both math and science on the international landscape and it is up to all of us to provide them with the specialized tools that will help them succeed. Finally, the sales tax extension will replace five schools, renovate several others, and upgrade athletic fields and tracks. So as we approach the Aug. 26 primary, we cannot abandon the important mission of preparing each child to meet the challenges of the future. Unfortunately, children cannot vote, so they must depend on the voting public to vote in their best interest. The half-cent sales tax extension is an investment in their future and in the future of America. Joe PerezOrmond Beach